Its the first #BuffaloLinks post for 2016. And with it comes a lot of fun events taking place throughout the rest of January. From outdoor to indoor events, winter in Buffalo doesn't have to be as dreadful as some make it. Whether you hit up Chestnut Ridge park for sledding, Fountain Plaza for ice skating, Riverworks for curling and ice hockey or Tifft Nature Preserve for some snow shoeing Buffalo has a lot going on.
Here is a list of events that look like they are going to be fun to attend:

Be a part of the Guinness Book of World Records and take part in what may be the Longest Ice Line and help Make a Wish WNY. My cousin Nathan {wish teen} will be leading the line.

{photo- Canalside}

Makers Buffalo has a lot of fun DIY projects over the next few weeks. Check out a full list here

{photo- Makers Buffalo}

Learn all about energy at Energy Day at the Science Museum on January 23rd.

{photo Buffalo Science Museum}

Exercise and brunch- why not- Sip n' Stretch at Marcy Casino on January 24th is an event I have tickets to. Knowing I will be burning those calories so I can enjoy a mimosa afterwards is enough motivation for me to work hard during the class.

{photo Sip N Stretch event page}

Looking to learn more about this city and the history behind it. Explore Buffalo is the perfect place to go for tours. And on January 23rd they are kicking off a Winter Celebration to share all of the awesome things coming up.

{photo Explore Buffalo}

A light show and more is coming back to Buffalo's Botanical Gardens at the end of January. Lumagination was on my list of events to attend last year and never happened, so this year I've made it a priority.

This past weekend, I took my Dad, niece and best friend Agnes {who is in from Chicago} down to Buffalo Riverworks {we wanted to go to Canalside for the ice skating, but due to the warm weather we couldn't skate down there}. Buffalo Riverworks was pretty cool, we got to watch a pick up hockey game on one rink {the boys were nice to look at ;)} and on the other one we watched them set up for the curling lessons that were going to take place.
We walked over to take some pictures of the Labatt Blue silo's before heading back at noon for open skate. Unfortunately, they didn't have small enough skates for my niece and because it seemed there was a bit of disorganization as people were walking in, so we headed to Rotary Rink to test our luck and see if they had small enough skates for a 4 year old.

After are short trip down the street, we were in luck and Rotary Rink not only had skates for my niece, but it was a couple bucks cheaper for kids {$2 for kids 12 and under} and adults {$3}. There was a decent crowd on the ice, but it wasn't to bad. It was the perfect weather, while it was a little warmer than usual, the wind was still present downtown to make it just a tad chilly.

There is so much going on during the winter months, if you have people in from out of town, it is the perfect time to show them around the city - showing them all the new developments taking place, is pretty awesome! We spent an afternoon downtown and I still feel like it wasn't enough time to take in all the exciting things going on. Until next time!

-B

{Getting the ice ready for curling lessons}

{Not only an awesome view of some of the hockey players, but of downtown in the background}

Hello December! Its the last month of 2014. While we get ready to wrap up another year, we look back at all the accomplishments, struggles, experiences and memories we gained from the last 12 months. For this month I'm really focusing on things I haven't been able to take part in previous years; Ice skating at Rotary Rink, walking around the Fairgrounds for the Festival of Lights and visiting Our Lady of Fatima Shrine. For me, December is a time to reflect on all that I did this past year, the good and the not so good and prepare for what I hope to accomplish in 2015. Christmas time for me is special because I love being able to see family and friends that I don't get to see all the time.

What are some of the things you are looking forward to doing this month?

Over this past weekend, my friend Lacey took some photos of me for my blog. While I can say with confidence, I could never, ever, be a model, it was fun to take some pictures for a few hours. Take a look at a few of my favorite shots below.

-B

On the stairs of City Hall

Buffalo "All-America City" Strike a pose on Main St.

Delaware Park

SHOUT

All photos you see here were taken courtesy of my amazing friend and amazing photographer Lacey J.